Inspection methods, apparatuses, and techniques are described herein for identifying defects in a plugged honeycomb body (100). The inspection apparatuses and methods herein utilize reduced distortion imaging to identify the defects in the plugged honeycomb body. Backlit and/or directly illuminated images (by e.g. first light source 308) of the plugged honeycomb body (100) can be captured (by e.g. camera 302) and analyzed to align (by e.g. actuators 306) the plugged honeycomb body (100) in an imaging apparatus and to identify the defects.